Chapter 565: Jia Zhangshi Possessed by the Moral Heavenly Venerable

Because Lou Xiao'e used the child as a weapon, deliberately threatening Shazhu, if Shazhu did not rent out Yushui's house to Qin Jingru, Lou Xiao'e would tell Yu Li that she and Shazhu had once had a child, saying it was due to Shazhu's infidelity within marriage, in order to let Yu Li violently beat Shazhu.

As a well-known henpecked husband in the Siheyuan.

Shazhu admitted that Lou Xiao'e's move had him under her control.

Helpless, he could only reluctantly agree to Lou Xiao'e's proposal, renting out Yushui's house to Qin Jingru at the current market price and setting a deadline.

Lou Xiao'e also thoughtfully helped pay three months' rent.

Seeing Qin Jingru happily thinking she had gotten a bargain, Shazhu kept sighing, 'Only women and petty people are hard to raise.'

Lou Xiao'e obviously wanted to see Qin Jingru's joke.

When the successful and famous Xu Daming returns home in glory, what feelings should the Qin Jingru who divorced Xu Daming have!

She will surely be heartbroken and tearful.

Shazhu holds great confidence in Xu Daming's achievement.

In this lifetime.

With Lou Xiao'e's support, Xu Daming's business will surely be huge.

You Fengxia again serves as the second-floor manager at Bai Xu, and will not repeat the previous life's scheme where she and Deputy Factory Director Li conspired to defraud Xu Daming of his family fortune.

In his previous life, Xu Daming came purely from a grassroots background, relying on his eloquence and connections, becoming the first person in the Siheyuan to wear a suit and tie, and also the first to use a big brother (mobile phone).

To put it bluntly, Shazhu isn't even worthy to hand Xu Daming his shoes.

Shazhu, drained of money by the Jia family to the point of not even having change for a phone call, what capital does he have to open a restaurant?

The so-called retirement home Dayuan was Shazhu using the restaurant funded by Lou Xiao'e as a scapegoat, supporting a bunch of parasites, including those who originally caused Lou Xiao'e's family to be destroyed.

Just after finishing dealing with Qin Jingru's move, about to leave the Siheyuan, a group of people conducting moral coercion came again to block the door.

Shazhu was somewhat taken aback.

It seemed as if he saw the undying Moral Heavenly Venerable Yi Zhonghai; he rubbed his eyes with his hand before realizing that the people blocking Lou Xiao'e and his path were the Jia family widows, Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi, followed by some who were either just watching the fun or harboring the same blood-sucking intentions as the Jia family widows.

Everyone showed up.

The first to speak was Qin Huairu.

Still the same matter as just now.

Renting Shazhu's house.

Probably from seeing a glimmer of hope in Shazhu renting Yushui's house to Qin Jingru, they somehow managed to work on Jia Zhangshi's thinking; the Jia family widows, who had just been feuding, apparently reached some unspeakable agreement indoors and reconciled as before.

A scene of mother-in-law kindness and daughter-in-law filial piety.

It truly left Shazhu bewildered.

It also left Lou Xiao'e feeling somewhat puzzled.

Mainly because Qin Huairu knew she had no face before Shazhu, she set her sights on Lou Xiao'e, hoping Lou Xiao'e could, like she did for Qin Jingru's house rental, also rent out Shazhu's main house for Qin Huairu to live in and help pay several months' rent.

She earnestly said she would remember Lou Xiao'e's kindness for a lifetime.

The expression on her face was that strange look of 'I let you help me rent a house, but not help me buy one.'

A shameless scene, it made Lou Xiao'e laugh out loud, she then pushed Qin Jingru away, saying if that's the case, then Qin Jingru might as well not rent the house either.

In front of Qin Jingru, she said she would take back the house she had just helped rent.

Since it concerned her own interests, Qin Jingru would naturally not give up easily, especially since Lou Xiao'e had paid her three months' rent; she first argued with Qin Huairu, then they fought.

While fighting and scolding, they said Qin Huairu couldn't stand seeing her sister's good fortune.

In the end, it was Jia Zhangshi who separated the two sisters, taking advantage of a free moment to start scheming against Lou Xiao'e.

"Lou Xiao'e, it's been over ten years since we last saw each other, and you really gave this old lady a huge thunderbolt. I just learned about your situation from San Daye; I heard you are now some kind of patriotic overseas Chinese returning to serve the motherland. This old lady doesn't know what overseas Chinese means, but I know patriotism. I heard your money is so much that several lifetimes couldn't spend it all; at our Yagangchang, we all treat you like a bodhisattva grandmother to make offerings."

Jia Zhangshi opened her mouth.

Just gave Lou Xiao'e a high hat.

This remark also made Shazhu frown.

Everyone knows Jia Zhangshi is an expert at sabotaging her own teammates, a classic case of insufficient success and excess failure; her words are truly beyond this brain.

If those words had come from the living Yi Zhonghai's mouth, no one would suspect; but coming from Jia Zhangshi's mouth, they instinctively startled everyone.

Such words should not have come from Jia Zhangshi.

But the situation before our eyes is precisely Jia Zhangshi's doing; Shazhu clearly saw Jia Zhangshi opening her mouth and personally heard her words.

He was taken aback for a moment.

When did Jia Zhangshi's rank become this high!

When will a dog stop eating feces?

The Jia Zhangshi who is never satisfied with taking advantage is naturally not genuinely praising Lou Xiao'e; she says this with a purpose.

What exactly is the purpose.

Shazhu really couldn't figure it out for a moment.

After all, Jia Zhangshi often does such unexpected things.

Not being able to guess is also understandable.

After Jia Zhangshi finished praising Lou Xiao'e, Qin Huairu, who had just been given a 2-0 score by Lou Xiao'e, thick‑skinnedly launched another round of flattery: saying Lou Xiao'e's family are living bodhisattvas, that Lou Xiao'e is a good neighbor to the Siheyuan residents, and claiming that upon returning this time she will give back to the neighbors.

The Jia family widows joined forces to push Lou Xiao'e's family up as great benefactors.

Shazhu's gaze.

It fell on Yan Fugui's person.

He always felt these words were taught by Yan Fugui.

Seeing Shazhu looking at him, Yan Fugui could not possibly be unaware of the reason; he slightly shook his head at Shazhu, meaning this matter had nothing to do with him.

Shazhu began to pay attention to Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu.

These two widows suddenly shifted their tone and finally spoke their minds.

"Xiao'e, you have so much money you could spend several lifetimes and still not finish it. From the day you married into the Siheyuan, this old woman knew you, Lou Xiao'e, were a kind-hearted living Bodhisattva. Those wealthy gentlemen before, who did good deeds for the countryside, building bridges and paving roads, even set up porridge sheds in famine years."

The Jia Family widow, pretending to cooperate.

After you finish your part, I'll make my entrance.

Qin Huairu, following the prearranged routine, interrupted Jia Zhangshi's words.

"Mom, how can you compare Xiao'e with those former landlords? Could those people compare to Xiao'e? The newspapers say Xiao'e is an overseas Chinese returning to invest in and develop her hometown, a patriotic overseas Chinese."

"Huairu is right, I, the old woman, lack education, I spoke wrongly. Xiao'e, you shouldn't look down on my old woman's nagging. Look, you have so much money you can't spend it all. The Siheyuan is also your home; you've lived here for several years, been neighbors with everyone for several years. Doing good deeds for others is good, doing good deeds for our neighbors is also good. We see each other all the time. In recent years, many houses in the Siheyuan have deteriorated due to age and may not last much longer; if you spend money to help repair them, the neighbors will think well of you. When they mention Lou Xiao'e of the Siheyuan, they'll all give a thumbs up."

As soon as Jia Zhangshi's words were spoken.

Those following behind Jia Zhangshi all chimed in one by one.

They said the Siheyuan wouldn't last a few years before collapsing, so by then Lou Xiao'e would have no place to go to reminisce about the past; they wanted Lou Xiao'e to spend money to repair their houses, saying Lou Xiao'e had so much money she could spend several lifetimes and still not finish it, and as neighbors they were qualified to help spend it, claiming this was a meaningful thing to do.

When the map is exhausted, the dagger appears.

Only then did Shazhu realize what these people were up to—indeed, they had their eyes on Lou Xiao'e's money in her pocket.

Their recent praise of Lou Xiao'e was merely a prelude to getting her to spend money.

The neighbors' attention had focused on Lou Xiao'e; now it was time for Lou Xiao'e to put up real money.

Just now they praised you as a great philanthropist, a living Bodhisattva, saying you would return to invest in and develop your hometown.

The Siheyuan is also your former home, aren't you going to chip in some money for renovations?

You have so much money you could spend several lifetimes and still not finish it—if you don't repair the Siheyuan, are you planning to take your money to the grave?

If you refuse to spend money, you're no great philanthropist; you've wasted the title of living Bodhisattva. Lou Xiao'e, you're a heartless scoundrel who forgot your roots after getting rich, a person without conscience, a sinner of the Siheyuan.

Lou Xiao'e is truly used to great storms and all sorts of oddball beasts; if these remarks were aimed at anyone else, they'd have stormed off in anger long ago, but her expression remained unchanged.

She was not angry.

Such lowly moral blackmail tactics, Lou Xiao'e has seen in Hong Kong and also experienced those violent methods; they're truly not worth a glance.

First put on the high hat, then start demanding money.

If it were another Siheyuan, the neighbors would treat Lou Xiao'e well; since she has money, even if the neighbors didn't say anything, Lou Xiao'e would voluntarily offer to help.

Money is meant to be spent.

As for these beasts in the Siheyuan, let's not talk about the dead; just consider the Jia Family widow standing before Lou Xiao'e. She used to curse Lou Xiao'e left and right, calling her a rich man's daughter, saying Lou Xiao'e's marriage into the Siheyuan ruined its feng shui, causing the Jia Family to become a lineage of widows.

Moreover, there was the matter of setting up Qin Jingru with Xu Daming; everyone in the Siheyuan knew Qin Jingru had slept with Xu Daming, but they only deceived Lou Xiao'e alone.

Again, they fled in disgrace to Hong Kong.

Such disgrace—those beasts inside the Siheyuan haven't spared any effort, each engaging in the practice of kicking someone when they're down.

They're all his damn enemies, you little bastard, what are you pretending to be a weakling for?

This time returning.

He returned bearing hatred.

Upon seeing Factory Director Yang, the first thing she said was to ask where Deputy Factory Director Li was; hearing that Deputy Factory Director Li had resigned, Lou Xiao'e began to think about Liu Haizhong and his group, until she heard from Factory Director Yang that Liu Haizhong had received a twenty-year sentence, and the pent-up gloom in Lou Xiao'e's heart finally dissipated.

This does not mean she will let those people in the Siheyuan off the hook.

Moreover, Lou Xiao'e's money didn't just blow in from the wind; why should she spend it to renovate the houses of these enemies and rivals, some of whom she knows, some of whom she doesn't even know?

Back when their family was at its most difficult, they didn't even ask these people for help; as long as they treated Lou Xiao'e as an ordinary neighbor, she would have been burning incense in gratitude.

Such an ordinary request couldn't even be satisfied.

Now that their family has prospered, these people come running to ask for favors?

What nerve.

They even tried to goad Lou Xiao'e.

"Xiao'e, we're all neighbors of the Dayuan; you now have the ability—surely you're not unwilling to do something within your capability?"

"This is an honor; spread it around, it'll sound good on your face—saying that Lou Xiao'e of the Red Star Courtyard has now prospered, and the first thing she does upon returning to her hometown is to repair the neighbors' houses."

"Has your reputation gotten out?"

Listening to these people's talk, Shazhu was also convinced; aside from having no other talents, their skill at moral blackmail is top-notch.

To manipulate Lou Xiao'e into helping them repair their houses.

It's merely a gimmick.

If Lou Xiao'e really spent money to renovate the Siheyuan,

their next step would be to tear down and rebuild their own houses.

Shazhu has already figured out their reasoning for them.

If the walls are damaged, surely they can't just leave them unrepaired?

There is plenty of vacant land inside the Siheyuan; once torn down and rebuilt, one room becomes two. Originally a twenty-square-meter room, after renovation it becomes thirty square meters, even forty. With the addition of a toilet, one can enjoy the feeling of not having to go out or wait in line to use the restroom—what a delight, absolutely top-notch.

No wonder Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu have teamed up again.

Interests move people's hearts.

Preparing to manipulate Lou Xiao'e into turning the Jia Family's house from one room into two, giving Qin Huairu her own room and Jia Zhangshi her own dwelling.

The south wall of the old Jia Family house has more than ten square meters of vacant space; given Jia Zhangshi's greedy nature, she will surely seek to occupy it.

Shazhu is not prepared to speak.

He has more or less figured it out.

Lou Xiao'e has her own calculations in mind.

Seeing Lou Xiao'e unmoved, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu felt a twinge of worry, fearing that Lou Xiao'e would pay no attention and not take the Siheyuan to heart.

They still remember clearly everything they did back then.

Lacking great virtue.

Seeing Lou Xiao'e not fall for the trick, they can only resort to the backup plan.

Qin Huairu said, "Xiao E, you haven't returned in over ten years. Although the courtyard house looks the same, some parts have changed quite a bit. I'll take you on a tour of the courtyard house to see the damaged areas; some are right next to your backyard house."

The terms are Qin Huairu and Xiao E. Xiao E is a nickname; it's a name for Lou Xiao'e (later seen as Lou Xiao'e). So Xiao E is a nickname for Lou Xiao'e. Should we treat Xiao E as a name? It's a nickname used as a name for a person. According to the rules, a nickname habitually used as that person's name should be rendered in pinyin. So we need to include Xiao E as a name? The glossary didn't provide it, but we need to list it in the glossary output. The glossary list should include every character that appears. So we need to add an entry for Xiao E: the pinyin is Xiao E. The characters for Xiao E are represented by the pinyin Xiao E. We need to capitalize each word? Usually we write Xiao E. However, the rule says to use Hanyu Pinyin only for a person's actual name (including a nickname, childhood name, courtesy name, or epithet habitually used as that person's name) and capitalize them. So we should output 'Xiao E'. Should we include a space? Typically we write Xiao E. We could also write Xiao'e, but we follow standard pinyin without an apostrophe, so we'll use Xiao E. We need to check if the glossary expects exactly that. We'll include an entry with raw_term 'Xiao E' and original_term being the Chinese characters for Xiao E. Next term: Siheyuan is already in the glossary. Hou Yuan is already in the glossary.

But we need to check if the glossary expects exactly that. We'll include an entry with raw_term 'Xiao E' and original_term being the Chinese characters for Xiao E.

Next term: Siheyuan is already in the glossary.

Next term: Hou Yuan is already in the glossary.

Now, line 【122】 shows Qin Huairu's tricks.

Terms: Qin Huairu. The phrase is not a name; it means 'tricks'.

Qin Huairu's tricks.

It is simply to reason with them and appeal to their emotions.

No names.

He also used the house that Lou Xiaoe newly bought from Da Mao as a lead.

You, Lou Xiaoe, spent a thousand bucks to buy a house; you don't care about our house, but you should care about your own house, right?

A thousand bucks is not a small amount; it's about equal to Qin Huairu's two years' salary.

This is something Qin Huairu doesn't know: Lou Xiaoe is negotiating business on Hong Kong Island, with the starting price already in the hundreds of thousands.

Otherwise, it would surely scare Qin Huairu to death.

"Come on." Qin Huairu saw Lou Xiaoe standing there unmoving, urged Lou Xiaoe while also reaching out to pull her, saying, "In some places, you really can't persist."

At this moment.

Shazhu, who didn't want to make a move, stood up.

He couldn't bear to watch.

Really.

He's really bullying people.

"What are you looking at? Still touring the Siheyuan? Delaying Factory Director Yang's business—can you, Qin Huairu, take responsibility? Don't look; Lou Xiaoe will soon be discussing the pilot point with Factory Director Yang and them."